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COIiONIZATION 



OF THE 






OF MAIl¥"L.ANB, 



SUCK SLAVES AS MAY HEREAFTER BECOME FREE. 



STATEMENT OF FACTS, 

FOR THE USE OF IHOSE WHO HAVE NOT YET REFLECTED ON 
THIS IMPORTANT SUBJECT 



PUBLISHED BY THE MANAGERS APPOINTED BY THE 
STATE OT MARYLAND. 

1832. 



.1. RoRiNSON, printer. 



>^ ^ ;> 






STATEMENT OF FACTS. 



Reasons for removing and colonizing the Free People of Colour, 

It is unnecessary to explain to the citizens of Maryland the 
evils of a colored population : they see and feel them daily. The 
most palpable, however, are the following. First. The employment 
of slaves tends to make labour disreputable, and thus to produce 
indolence, and consequently poverty and vice, among the free ; and 
as all slaves are colored, the employment of colored labourers, even 
where free, creates or sustains the same prejudice against honest 
industry. The difference, therefore, between the value of land and 
improvements, and the wealth and comfort of the people, in those 
places where all the inhabitants are white, and those where they 
are not, is too striking to be denied. Secondly. Colored labourers 
exclude an equal numb^er of whites, who would gladly be indus- 
trious and sober, if they could find employment ; and thus, for a 
multitude of freemen, who, while they contributed to the wealth 
and beauty of the land, would also be ready to defend it in case of 
need, is substituted a class, who can feel but little interest to exert 
themselves for the permanent improvement of the country, and who 
are rather to be distrusted, perhaps, than relied upon for protection. 
Thirdly. The existence of a colored population among us is incon- 
sistent, to a great degree, wuth our republican professions. Not to 
mention the slaves, there is a part of that population which we call 



free, and yet allow them hardly any freedom. We never can 
allow them more, for the public prejudice, or sentiment, opposes; 
and as they never can mingle with us, they must always be a dis- 
tinct, and consequently a subordinate caste. 

The remedy for these evils. 

The truth of the above remarks is so manifest, that it cannot be 
contested ; and every man ~bf sense, whether he be white or co- 
lored, who reflects upon the subject, must see there is but one 
remedy for the enumerated evils. That remedy is removal. As it 
is clearly impossible for the whites to remove, who are the vast 
majority, and possess the government, the soil, education, &c. &c., it 
follows that the colored population must remove, beginning with 
those that are now free, and continuing with those that may 
hereafter become so. 

Experience has already proved, that where the free people of 
color shall begin to be removed, many slave-holders who would 
never consent to give their slaves freedom and let them remain here, 
will manumit them on condition of their going away. Merely to 
manumit them would not always be a benefit. They can never be 
but nominally free ; their previous habits disqualify them often for 
proper exertions here for their own support ; their low and hopeless 
rank in society deprives them of all honorable ambition. For 
these reasons, it seems to be decided by the public sentiment, that 
to inspire them with a proper feeling of emulation, they must be 
placed in a state of society where they will enjoy equal rights 
in every respect. 

It may therefore be confidently asserted, that there is but one 
remedy : the gradual removal of the colored population, beginning 
with the free. If that population are wise, they will, for their own 
sake, be anxious to go : and if they are really solicitous for the 
welfare of those of their race who are in bondage, let them listen to 
their friends, and be persuaded that emigration affords the only hope 



of deliverance. Benevolence and wisdom among the whites are 
maturing this great scheme for their advantage ; and let them not 
set themselves against it ! 

HoiD to apply this remedy. 

Mr. Jefferson having, in 1777, and Dr. Thornton in 1787, sug- 
gested the idea of colonizing the free colored population of the 
United States, and the Legislature of Virginia having recommended 
it in 1801, and again more pressingly in 1816, a Society was formed 
in Washington in December, 1816, through the eftbrts of the Rev. 
Dr. Finley, of New Jersey, and other benevolent men, for carrying 
the plan into execution, by procuring a territory on the Coast of 
Africa, and removing to it such free coloured persons as might be 
disposed to go. 

American Colonization Society, and its Jluxiliaries. 

The Society received this name; and to aid in its great under- 
taking, Auxiliaries were then or have since been formed in the 
States of Maine, New Hampshire, ^Massachusetts, Connecticut, 
Vermont, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Mary- 
land, Virginia, North Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, 
Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Ohio, Indiana, lUir.ois, anil Mis- 
souri ; and besides these, there are more than two hundred County 
and Town Auxiliaries. 

The members of these Societies contribute each a small sum, 
occasionally or at stated periods. In eight years, from 18^1 to 
1828, the amount thus collected was $82,164; and in the three 
years, 1829-30-31 , about $75,000. The sum increases every year. 

This conclusively proves that the American people are sensible 
of the merits of the plan, and are willing to support it. But a 
stronger proof is the fact, that the Legislatures of fifteen States 
have passed resolutions approving tlie object of the Society, and 



6 

recommending its general adoption. These States are New Hamp- 
shire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, New 
York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Georgia, Tennessee, 
Kentucky, Ohio, and Indiana. Similar resolutions passed one branch 
of the Legislature of Louisiana. 

A large number also of the most distinguished men of our country, 
m every part of the Union, have espoused the cause. Among them 
are Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, Chief Jus- 
tice Marshall, Judge Washington, Charles Carroll of Carrollton, 
Henry Clay, William H. Crawford, Bishop White, R. G. Harper' 
&c. &c. They are too numerous to name. 

Nearly all the ecclesiastical bodies, of every religious denomina- 
tion in the United States, have by resolutions solemnly expressed 
their opinion that this Society merits the consideration of the 
whole Christian community, and earnestly recommend it to their 
patronage. 

Founding of tlie Colony. 

In December, 1821, Dr. Eli Ayres, with Capt. Stockton, of the 
United States Navy, purchased from the natives the whole of a 
territory called Montserado, on the south west coast of Africa, in 
the name of the Society. The first settlers arrived at the Colony 
in June, 1822; and in that year, Mr. Ashmun took charge of it, as 
Agent or Governor, in the place of Dr. Ayres, whose health had 
obliged him to return. To their zealous and persevering efforts in 
Its infancy, the Colony is greatly indebted for its prosperity and 
success. Dr. Richard Randall, of Maryland, succeeded Mr. Ash- 
mun. The present Agent or Governor is Dr. Mechlin. 

Description of the Colony. 

1st. JVame and locality.-h is called Liberia, because it is the 
home of the Freed. It is in about the sixth degree of North latitude, 



and extends a considerable distance along the coast and indefinitely 
into the interior. From time to time, additional territory is pro- 
cured from the natives, by purchase, as opportunity offers or 
inducements present themselves ; and two important districts, called 
Grand Bassa and Cape Mount, have recently been acquired in this 
way. There are several rivers, of vrhich the principal are the 
Montserado and St. Paul's; the former being three hundred miles in 
length, and the latter half a mide wide at its mouth. The chief town, 
called Monrovia after the late President of the United States, where 
most of the settlers reside, stands in a delightful situation on a high 
point of land, which juts out into the sea. The houses are substan- 
tially built of wood and of stone. There is a smaller town, called 
Caldwell, on the St. Paul's; and a third, called Millsburg, fifteen or 
twenty miles higher up ; and settlements are about to be made at 
other eligible places. The whole population of the Colony is 
upwards of 2000. 

2ndly. Fertility and agriculture. — The Colonists themselves, in 
an address to the free people of color in the United States, August, 
1827, say "a more fertile soil and a more productive country, so 
far as it is cultivated, there is not, we believe, on the face of the 
earth." Dr. Randall says, that the land on both sides of Stockton 
Creek (which connects the Montserado and St. Paul's) , is a rich 
light alluvion ; equal, in every respect, to the best on the Southern 
rivers of the United States. Mr. Ashmun thus enumerates the 
animals and products of the country : Horses, cattle, sheep, goats, 
swine, ducks, geese, chickens, and Guinea fowls, in abundance ; 
fish in the greatest plenty; plantains, bananas, vines, lemons, 
oranges, tamarinds, mangoes, cashew, prunes, guava, pine apple, 
grape, cherry, and a species of peach ; sweet potatoe, cassada, yams, 
cocoa, ground nuts, arrow root, e^^ plant, okra, every variety 
of beans and peas, cucumbers and melons, pumpkins, &c. &c. ; rice, 
Indian corn, Guinea corn, millet, pepper, excellent coffee, sugar, 
cotton and indigo. Indeed, sugar, cotton, coffee, and indigo, 
arrow wild. 



8 

Srdly. Climate, and health of the settlers.— In the early years of 
the Colony, want of good houses, the great fatigues and dangers of 
the settlers, the discouragements they met witli, tlieir ignorance of 
the proper mode of living, and of the best remedies, aided the 
other causes of sickness, and produced great mortality. But those 
times are past and forgotten. Their houses and circumstances are 
now comfortable ; they are abundantly supplied with medical as- 
sistance ; and for the last five or six years (as stated in the address 
of the Colonists in 1827), not one person in forty, from the middle 
and Southern States, has died from change of climate. The effect 
is most severely felt by those from the Northern States, or from 
mountainous parts of the middle States; but experience has proved 
that, with ordinary prudence, no danger is to be apprehended even 
by persons from those places, who are sober and have no radical 
defects of constitution. As the country becomes more thickly 
settled and better cultivated, it will, like all other new countries, 
become more healthy. From the past mortality or present sickli- 
ness, no discouragement will be felt by those who have read an ac- 
count of the early attempts to found Colonies in this favored land ; 
from which we shall make some extracts a few pages further on. 
Dr. Randall says, in his letters, that he considers Monrovia as 
healthy as any of our Southern cities ; and Capt. Stockton wrote 
that he honestly thought, after personal examination and reflection, 
that the climate presented those obstacles only which are natural to 
ft tropical soil, uncleared and uncultivated, and that he believed 
nothing could prevent success but limited means, bad counsels, or 
feeble efforts. 

4thly. Commerce.— Francis Devany, Sheriff of the Colony, an 
emancipated slave, who went to Liberia seven or eight j'ears ago, 
testified before a Committee of Congress, May, 1830, that he had 
accumulated property to the amount of ^20,000 ; and that Waring, 
another Colonist, had sold goods to the amount of $70,000 in a year. 
Several of the Colonists own small vessels, with which they trade 



9 

along the coast. Their foreign commerce is chiefly with this 
country and England, and their internal trade with the natives. 
They now export dye woods, ivory, hides, gold dust, palm oil and 
rice, which they purchase from the Africans, by barter. In ex- 
change, they receive from this country, which is their principal 
market, cotton cloth, tobacco, ready-made clothing, powder and 
arms, and all manufactured articles required in civilized communi- 
ties. The nett profits on the two articles of wood and ivory, pas- 
sing through their hands, from January 1st to June 15th, lSi6, 
were $30,716. In 1830, eight vessels traded to the Colony from 
Philadelphia alone ; one of them bearing a cargo worth ^25,000. 
In the Liberia Herald of January 22d, 1832, (a newspaper pub- 
lished at the Colony,) the marine list announces the arrival, in three 
weeks, of two ships, two brigs, one galliot, three schooners, and 
two sloops, from England, Scotland, the United States, and the 
Coast; and the departure, during the same time, for various points, 
of one ship, six schooners, and one sloop. The exports of 1831 
were $90,000. It is in contemplation to establish a regular line of 
monthly packets from some port in the TJnited States. There can 
be no doubt that, as the Colony grows, a commerce lucrative both 
to it and to us will increase and flourish in the same degree. 

5thly Literature and education. — From the beginning, education 
has been promoted as far as practicable. In 1827, six schools were 
already in successful operation, and others have been established in' 
each of the towns of Monrovia, Caldwell, and Millsburg ; so that 
every child in the Colony receives an education. There is also a 
Colonial Library, and, as before mentioned, a monthly newspaper, 
edited by Mr. Russwurm, one of the Colonists. 

6thly. Religious state. — On this point, the accounts from all 
quarters are very edifying. Capt. Sherman, who visited the place 
in 1830, writes: "There is as much hospitality to be found in 
Monrovia, and among the inhabitants, a greater proportion of moral 
and religious characters than in Philadelphia. I never saw a man 



10 

intoxicated, nor heard any profane swearing during the three weeks 
I was among ihem. The Baptists have three, and the Methodists 
five preachers, all intelligent colored men, merchants and traders, 
residing among them." Capt. Abels, who visited the place in 1832, 
writes : " All my expectations with regard to the aspect of things, 
the health, harmony, order, contentment, industry, and general 
prosperity of the settlers^ were more than realized. I saw no 
intemperance, nor did I hear a profane word uttered by any one. 
Being a Minister of the Gospel, on Christmas day I preached both 
in the Methodist and Baptist Churches, to full and attentive congre- 
gations of from three to four hundred people in each. I know of 
no place where the Sabbath appears to be more respected than in 
Monrovia." Mr. Devany, in his examination before a Committee 
of Congress, says : " Some instances of intemperance have oc- 
curred ; but the habit is confined to two persons only. There are 
three churches, frame buildings; one of them with a steeple. One, 
not yet finished, belongs to the Presbyterians. Divine service is 
attended three times on Sundays, and also on Thursday and Friday 
evenings. In five years, only five persons were committed for mis- 
demeanour." Gov. Mechlin writes, that " as to the morals of the 
Colonists, I consider them much better than those of the people of 
the United States; that is, you may take an equal number of the 
inhabitants from any section of the Union, and you will find more 
drunkards, more profane swearers and sabbath-breakers, &c., than 
in Liberia." C. N. Waring, one of the Colonists, writes in 1831 : 
" Since Capt. Sherman left us, there have been nearly one hundred 
added to our church. Monrovia may be said to be a Christian 
community; there is scarcely a family in it, that some one or the 
whole do not possess religion." 

7thly. Governmmt, and physical condition. — The Colony belongs 
to, and is under the immediate control and jurisdiction of the Board 
of Managers of the American Colonization Society, who are elected 
at the annual meetings of the Society, and reside in Washington. 



11 

They appoint the Agent or Governor, who is a white man ; and no 
other white man can reside there without their permission. The 
Vice-Agent, High Sheriff, &c., are colored men. They are 
governed by just and equal laws, like ours; and elect their 
officers themselves. The form of government is Republican •, and 
they may become separate and entirely independent of this country, 
whenever they may think it for their interests to be so. 

Capt. Sherman writes in 1830: "The adult male inhabitants 
consider themselves men, and know how to enjoy the blessings of a 
free institution. They are now as patriotic Americans as our fore- 
fathers were loyal subjects of the Kings of England. Should they 
receive no further aid from this country, they will, nevertheless, in 
my opinion, attain to greatness eventually." Capt. Nicholson, of 
the United States Navy, writes in 1 828 : " All the Colonists with 
whom I had any communication, expressed their decided wish to 
remain in their present situation, rather than return again to the 
United States. I cannot give you a better evidence of the pros- 
perity of the Colony, than by mentioning that eight of my crew 
(colored mechanics), after going on shore, two several days, 
applied for and received their discharge, in order to remain as per- 
manent settlers. The appearance of all the Colonists indicated 
more than contentment. Their manners were those of freemen, 
who experienced the blessings of liberty, and appreciated the 
boon." Capt. Kennedy, of the United States Navy, writes in 
1830 : " I sought out the most shrewd and intelligent of the Colo- 
nists, many of whom were personally known to me, and by long and 
wary conversations endeavoured to elicit from them any dissatisfac- 
tion with their situation, if such existed, or any latent desire to 
return to their native country. Neither of these did I observe. On 
the contrary, I thought I could perceive that they considered that 
they had started into a new existence; and that, disencumbered of 
the mortifying relations in which they formerly stood in society, 
they felt themselves proud in their attitude, and seemed conscious, 
that while they were founders of a new empire, they were prose- 



13 

cuting the noble purpose of the regeneration of the land of theu' 
fathers." Capt. Abels writes in 1832 : " Nothing struck me more 
than the great superiority in intelligence, manners, conver?atiDn, 
dress, and general appearance, in every respect, of the people, over 
their colored brethren in America. Among all that I conversed 
with, I did not find a discontented person, or hear one express a 
desire to return to America. Most of the settlers appear to be 
rapidly acquiring property. There are about two hundred buildings 
in the town of Monrovia, extending along Cape Monserado for 
about a mile and a quarter. Most of these are good substantial 
houses and stores (the first story of many of them being of stone) , 
and some of them handsome, spacious, painted, and with Venetian 
blinds. I have several times dined with the Colonists, and I think 
no better tables could be set in any part of the world. We had 
every thing that heart could desire, of meats, and fish, and fowls, 
and vegetables, and wines, &c." The progressive improvement of 
the Colony is truly gratifying. In a letter dated February 16, 1832, 
an intelligent Colonist, who had just returned from a visit to the 
United States, says : " During my absence the general improvement 
has been astonishing; but Monrovia has partaken most largely of 
this spirit, though Caldwell and Millsburg are fast advancing." In 
one year, the number of comfortable wooden and stone dwelHngs 
built in Monrovia alone, was fifty-five. 

8thly. Means of defence. — There are six volunteer companies, 
well armed and drilled, containing five hundred men; besides a 
respectable number of militia not in uniform. There arc a fort, and 
twenty pieces of cannon; an armed schooner; and arms and ammu- 
nition to equip one thousand men. This is amply sufficient to beat, 
without an elTbrt, any force the natives might bring against them. 
But there is no danger from that source, as the natives are 
submissive and attached. 



13 



Suppression of the Slave Trade. 

It is universally admitted that the most effectual way of abolishing 
this horrible traffic, is to establish colonies of civilized men along 
the Coast of Africa, and institute a regular and lawful commerce 
with the natives. If, by exchanging the products of their own 
industry, they can obtain the European and American fabrics and 
productions which they desire, they will gladly abandon a system 
that inflicts such terrible evils on themselves. Capt. Nicholson 
says in his letter in 1829, that " the slave trade has no doubt re- 
ceived a more effectual check since the establishment of the Colony 
of Liberia, than for a century before." Before that time, there 
were several slave factories within a few miles of Monrovia, all of 
which have been completely broken up. That detestable trade is 
no longer openly carried on for a distance of upwards of two hun- 
dred miles along the Coast of Liberia. A late English writer thus 
mentions the subject : " Nothing has tended more to suppress the 
slave trade in this quarter than the constant intercourse and commu- 
nication of the natives with these industrious Colonists, The 
American Agent, Mr. Ashmun, took every opportunity and means 
in his power to extinguish a traffic so injurious in every way to the 
fair trader; and at Cape Montserado good and correct information 
was always to be obtained of any slave vessels on the Coast within 
the communication or influence of the Colony. This active, 
respectable, and intelligent man, is since dead ; but his spirit still 
actuates all his people. " 

Civilization and Conversion of the JYatives to Christianity. 

The same English writer above quoted, says : " The character 
of these industrious Colonists is exceedingly correct and moral, 
their minds strongly impressed with religious feelings, their man- 
ners serious and decorous, and their domestic habits remarkably neat 



14 

and comfortable. Wherever the influence of this Colony extends, 
tlie slave trade has been abandoned by the natives, and the peaceful 
pursuits of legitimate commerce established in its place. A few 
Colonies of this kind scattered along the Coast, would be of infinite 
value in improving the natives. They would much sooner acquire 
their confidence and esteem, as not exciting that jealousy which 
foreigners always cause ; and the very example of their own race, 
thus raised in. the moral and social scale, would be the strongest 
motive to induce others to adopt and practise those qualities by 
which they were rendered so much more comfortable and happy. 
Should no unfortunate event retard the progress of those Colonists, 
and no baneful vices be introduced among them, there is every 
reason to hope they will diffuse cultivation and improvement in 
Africa to a considerable extent, as they have already done, on a 
limited scale, as far as their influence has reached." 

Besides the Colonists, there is a village of re-captured Africans, 
found on board of slave ships by our citizens, and re-conveyf^d to 
their native shores. They are one hundred in number. One o'f the 
Colonists thus mentions them in a late letter: " They seem fully to 
adorn the Christian character. They have built themselves ^ small 
house of worship, at which they meet regularly on the Lord's day, 
and twice in the week, for prayer." 

Many tribes in the vicinity are earnestly desirous of receiving re- 
ligious and other instruction. One of them contains a population of 
one hundred and twenty-five thousand, speaking the same language. 
Several have put themselves under the protection of the Colony, 
and one hundred children of native chiefs are attending School in 
Liberia. Frequently, instead of abiding by their own laws and 
usages, they prefer having their disputes referred to the Colonial 
tribunals, and cheerfully acquiesce in their decisions. 

The Agent, in a former letter, remarked > " You can have no 
idea of the favourable impressions we have made on the natives of 
the country. They are constantly sending messages, requesting us 



±5 

to settle at different points of the Coast, from Cape Mount to below 
Trade-town, and means only are wanting to enable us to occupy any 
portion of the Coast between these two points." 

Cape Mount has since been purchased from the natives ; and it is 
worthy of remark, that the only consideration required by them 
was, that we should make a settlement on the land, and establish 
Schools for the education of their children. " This they strenuously 
urged," says the Agent in his last despatches, " as many of them 
had acquired the rudiments of a common English education in the 
Colony, and were anxious to secure the same advantages to their 
countrymen. The young men were enthusiastic in our cause, and 
many went forward and told the kings that, unless they granted our 
request, they would abandon the country. They say, as soon as we 
have established a settlement, they will join it, become Colonists, 
and subject themselves to the same laws by which we are governed." 
This is about one hundred miles from Monrovia. 

Durirg a recent visit of the Agent to some native towns, nearer to 
the Coiony, eight or ten chiefs, after consultation with each other, 
united in the request that they might be received and treated as 
subjects -)f the Colony. .,^,„ 

Exertions of Maryland. 

At the late General Assembly, the Maryland State Colonization 
Society was incorporated for the purpose of promoting the removal 
and colonization of the free people of color. It acts in harmony 
with the American Colonization Society at Washington, and co-ope- 
rates with it in this great cause ; confining its efforts, however, to our 
own State. It has employed an Agent ; and is proceeding to form, 
through him, Auxiliary Societies in every County, so that the public 
and the colored people may be well informed on the subject, and the 
exertions of the frien-ls of the scheme, being united, may be more 
effectual. The funds raised by it will be devoted to providing 



16 



emigrants with books, medicines, clothes, implements of agriculture, 
tools, furniture, and such other articles as they may stand particu- 
larly in need of 

At the same Session, the General Assembly, speaking the voice of 
the people, appropriated a liberal sum of money* for the purpose of 
removing such of the free colored people as may wish to go, and 
such slaves as may hereafter become free; and appointed three 
managers to superintend the expenditure of the fund. The State of 
Maryland may therefore be considered as having entered upon this 
great enterprise in earnest ; and it would seem to be the duty of 
every good citizen to support and aid her in an undertaking not less 
necessary than it will be glorious. This can be best done, by 
making the colored population aware of the advantages which the 
settlement at Africa offers to all who may seek an asylum there, by 
explaining to them the views and objects of the Colonization Society, 
and by aiding all who may wish to remove to the Colony. 



FINIS. 



[BJa'l2 



